EVAN CAFFREY went to the same school as Stephen Kenny.
And the Shelbourne player is hoping to hand out another tough lesson to the St Pat’s boss at Richmond Park tonight.
Kenny described the Saints as the fourth club in Dublin — based on the league table — when he took the job on Thursday.
Tonight they face the one currently top when they host Shels who ended a run of three straight draws with a win over Waterford on Friday.
And Caffrey is not fazed by the prospect of coming up against a side with the former Ireland manager at the helm.
Caffrey said: “He went to the same school as me in Old Bawn, which is just behind Tallaght Stadium.
“I remember seeing his picture in the school as a kid. They have his picture up in the school.
“But I’ve never met him and we’re playing the same St Pat’s team that we played two games this season.
“That doesn’t really matter. He’s the manager at the end of the day and he’s not out there playing games on the pitch. It doesn’t really bother us.
“There is always going to be attention on a Dublin derby but we’re going to out and give our all as we always do.”
Caffrey is far better acquainted with Shels boss Damien Duff, having first played under him for Shamrock Rovers’ Under-15 side.
He said: “I’ve known the manager for a while now. He’s got that work ethic and puts in massive amounts of effort no matter what age group he is managing.
“He was the same back then as he is now. He is really down to earth and just really gets behind us — giving us confidence to play. it’s a pleasure to play for him.”
But the manager is not entirely satisfied with his side’s efforts so far this season, despite the fact they are on top of the league, one game from the midway point.
Duff said: “What’s my assessment? To be brutally honest, points are being left behind.
“I get that games are won and lost on fine margins and that’s the league this year but that would be my honest assessment.
“But I’m very proud, happy as ever here and love the guys. We have put in some amazing performances but have left points behind.
“It’s just from being slightly off and flat. Last week you start slightly flat, you end up 1-0 behind against Drogheda and they end up in a back six for the rest of the game.
“Galway away was incredibly flat and points were left behind and numerous other times during the season.
“I don’t want to name check them all but if you’re any way off, I’m sick of saying it, you’ll get found out.”
BIG RESULT
But there was an improvement on Friday against a Waterford side who had come back with a positive result from each of their previous visits to Dublin this term.
And Caffrey said: “We got the three points, we needed that with the other results — Derry winning — so important to get the three points.
“There was a real calmness to us and we were very calm in the final third.
“We kept the ball well and I just thought we created some chances and Seán Boyd finally put one of them away.
“He’s playing very well, whether it’s coming off the bench or starting, he’s a real threat in the air and scoring goals.”
And ex-UCD player Caffrey believes something similar could settle tonight’s match.
CLOSE CALL
He said: “Boydy was clinical but it’s fine margins. It could be a set-piece but you just have to be there to put them away.
“These Friday-Mondays are what will get us there in the end, those six-pointers will be important for us.
“You have to be ready to go, no matter when it is or who it is against. I think everyone will be ready for it.
“We work very hard, no one in the league trains as hard as us and you can see that on the pitch with lads running everywhere.
“We are giving everything and we’ve got a real edge about us this year.”
Shels hope to be at full strength. Tom Grivosti could be on the St Pat’s bench after playing for the Under-20s on Saturday but Axel Sjoberg remains out.